Wednesday, October 10, 2012

"One Last Thing..."

But I'm near a city, and I was raised there, and in a city there used to be close-knit neighborhoods.

Places where folks watched out for one another.

They were like a "small town", tucked into a city.

Very nice.

I skated on this pond during the winters of my youth. So not long ago, right??? :)

My church family is like these small towns.

So many nice people, looking out for one another. Kind. Warm. Loving.

And a bunch of us raised our kids together, so when wedding times roll around?

We pitch in to help each other.

Cooking. Baking. Organizing. Cleaning. Serving. Cleaning again!

I love this stuff!!!

I helped with one of the prettiest weddings ever this summer. It was a "Vintage Wedding".

Amazing decorations, hung and placed in an old carriage house.

First: I WANT TO LIVE IN THIS CARRIAGE HOUSE.

Yes. It is that historically correct and gorgeous. I would write in the top window cupola/turret and see everything from Lake Ontario to the north to the village church steeples due south.

I would love that THIS MUCH.

I was helping oversee this beautiful reception with two girl peeps, Mandy and Sherrie.

Love them to death!

I got introduced to an aging couple, the groom's grandparents. Sweet. Smart. Eager to talk to me because I owned Blackie the Rooster...

And that's a whole other story, LOL!

And they thought it was cool that I was an author, too.

Such nice people. Just lovely.

The woman wore a pink chemo hat.

A cancer patient.

She was slight. A little stooped. Kind of frail. But tough in voice and stature for a little person.

She asked about my books and told me she'd always wanted to be a writer.

I hear that often, and usually I urge the person to jump on board.

Just do it!

But she explained that she missed her time and knew that now.

She regretted missing her time, but loved her memories of helping raise grandchildren.

Her words made me happy and a little sad. Choices are hard in this world. We talked for a long time, Grandma, Grandpa and me. Grandpa shared stories of his youth and wondered if I could use them in a book.

And his story was strong enough that I just might.

Mandy and Sherrie had everything under control, so I chatted, easy, enjoying this time.

Do you see the hanging canning jars? Each one had a tiny, battery-operated twinkle light inside.Antique stoves and furniture.The old fridge, stocked with carrot cake and watermelon. Which do you think I ate, LOL???

A few weeks ago I got a call from a friend, the mother of the bride.

Grandma was sick. In hospice. Dying.

Family issues had made people angry. Upset.

But two granddaughters ignored the "no visitors" rule and drove in to see Grandma.

She was happy to see them.

She was lonely. As they talked, the girls wondered if they could do anything to help?

She hesitated.

Then she told them yes. Yes they could.

Because you see, she was reading a book when she got so sick. And she can't read anymore,

but she'd like to finish the book because it was that special.

She met the author, you see.

At a wedding.

And the author took time to talk to her about life, about writing.

And she really, really wants to see how the story comes out before she dies.

The girls drove home...

Got the book.

Brought it back to the hospital room.

And they read to Grandma until they finished the book.

Writers get nominated for awards all the time.

They go to gala banquets...

Get plaques in the mail...

Their names get posted on websites.

They make bestseller lists.

But none of that compares with this dying old woman's wish to finish the book...

Ruthy, you made me cry! And it's only 6:15 a.m. in my neck of the woods. I loved this story and the beautiful way you connected with Nana. It is always beautiful to hear how God uses one heart to minister to and encourage another. Thanks for sharing this story, and reminding me to look beyond the moment into the eyes and hearts of others.

Ah Ruth what a wonderful story and how proud you must be that grandma wanted the rest of the story, I am so glad you met this woman and she you before she passed away. We never know when a chance meeting will bear fruit that we dont even know about. I love stories like this from the Heart...thanks for sharing.Paula O

What a truly amazing story!! I am sure when you get to Heaven there will be an especially beautiful jewel in your crown for taking time to make this precious lady's day! This story was so sweet I'll forgive you for making me cry this early in the day! :)

Oh, Ruthy! What an amazing story. We never know how God plans to use us, so we just move around our days doing what he prompts us to do. Once in a long while he gives us glimpses of why, and this is undoubtedly one of those times. Thanks for sharing because it encourages me to keep going, even when I'm not always sure why I should bother. If one day my words can be meaningful to just one person.....

List of upcoming books and novellas!!!

Home on the Range

Nick Stafford didn't ride off, chasing some dream... He stayed home, helping his father build a world-renowned ranch. Now his brothers are back and his father's sick and if you want to call Nick frustrated, well.. you wouldn't be wrong. He's the son who chose to stay, but so far, staying is only half the battle... And this is his story.

Their Surprise Daddy

When two illegal immigrant children face severe consequences, can their two law-appointed guardians find a way to keep them safe, happy and maybe offer them a home-sweet-home together? The last thing the youngest Gallagher sister wants is to be attracted to a wealthy, stuck-on-himself Manhattan money-mover, but as she works side-by-side with handsome Cruz Maldonado, she sees the scarred man beneath the brilliance... and the tender heart he tries so hard to hide. I hope you love this beautiful story of sacrificial love and coming home... to Grace Haven, a town full of heart and hope.

Peace in the Valley

And here it is, the story you've been waiting for. The third son, not by birth but by design: God's design. The one whose destiny lay intertwined with so many others, the one whose golden future was born of a dismal past. Trey's story, the country crooner who comes home searching for what he never really lost in the first place: love.

Book Signing!!!

These lovely gals from the Parma Public Library have graciously hosted me several times! The Friends of the Parma Public Library have been wonderfully supportive of my work and they are just the nicest bunch of people you'll ever meet. Giving a shout out to all of you gals, and a huge thank you!

Oh my stars, thanks for comin' over!!!

Yes, it's me, once again bothering innocent people and shamelessly exploiting small children and animals to sell wonderful sweet books that make you feel just a little bit better about most everything when you're done with them. I try to write the kind of book I like to READ... It just makes sense, doesn't it? :) If you click on the books below, they spring to life with a link to Amazon. I even make buying EASY for you. And inviting. If you can't afford the books (been there, done that, totally understandable) ask your local library to get them in. They're wonderful. I promise.

Woman's World article

Oh my stars!!! Huge thanks to Woman's World and Carla for choosing Winter's End as a BEST BEACH READ!

About Me

Ruth Logan Herne likes to be called “Ruthy”, she loves God, her family, her country, coffee and chocolate, thinks snakes should always live outside, possums should leave the cat food on the side porch alone and all grandchildren should be named for her.
A mother and grandmother to seriously smart young people, she writes stories of humor, hope and faith, embracing God’s love and life’s opportunities. Now an established author with Love Inspired Books, her North Country books secured the coveted 4 ½ Star Romantic Times rating and Philosophy of Romance named Made to Order Family their “Book of the Year” for 2010.
Her 2011 series is set in Allegany County, NY, one of the most gorgeous places on Earth. All three books have received a 4-Star rating! Set in the foothills of the Allegheny range, a Brigadoon-type town is coaxed back to life through love, romance, hard work and a strengthening economy. These are stories of new beginnings and righting old wrongs...
Ruthy is also proud that "Winter's End" has been nominated for the prestigious Carol Award for Christian fiction AND that "Winter's End" received the Holt Medallion Award of Merit for best first book.
Amazing.